Graduation Date Set For Darien High School

DARIEN, CT — The Darien Board of Education this week unanimously voted on a date for high school graduation.

The commencement ceremony will take place on Thursday evening, June 13. The date was recommended by DHS.

Superintendent of Darien Public Schools Dr. Alan Addley explained to the board that the two snow days this school year would have typically meant moving the tentative date from Wednesday, June 12, to Friday, June 14.

"One of the primary reasons for making that recommendation [of June 13] at the high school is that it provides an opportunity to have a rain check," Addley said. "So if Thursday the weather isn't cooperating, we would roll over to Friday."

Additionally, the June 13 date will encourage higher attendance from staff, Addley said. June 14 represents the last day of school for staff.

Staff would also have a dedicated day with underclassmen at the end of the year.

Moving the high school graduation to June 13 will move the Middlesex 8th grade graduation ceremonies to Wednesday evening instead of Thursday. The 8th grade class will be in school two days after their ceremony.

The June 13 date comes with an incremental cost of $3,750, Addley said, due to equipment rentals. The costs can be offset through superintendent adjustments to high school accounts, Addley said.

Board member Sara Best, who has an 8th grader, asked if it was possible to have an afternoon ceremony for MMS and a evening ceremony for DHS on the same day.

Addley said that would be too much of a "hevay lift" for maintenance and custodial staff.

You can watch Tuesday's full Darien Board of Education meeting on demand on Darien TV79.